'A spectacular talent,' Colas fired up to play right field for White Sox
Oscar Colas arrived at the White Sox's training camp as the prohibitive favorite to win the starting job in right field, even with unhappy designated hitter Eloy Jimenez pushing to play the position.
With only one season of minor-league experience, Colas looks like he's ready to be in the Sox's starting lineup this year.
"I don't think it's necessarily too much of an ask," general manager Rick Hahn said.
Just to be sure, the White Sox have been keeping a close eye on Colas during spring training. They like what they've been seeing.
"He's an extremely focused kid who goes about his business the right way," Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters in Glendale, Ariz. "There's no BS about him. He comes here to work. He's competing for a job and he knows it. This is what he loves to do. He takes pride in it.
"He's extremely detailed for a young kid. Obviously, he's got ability. I'm looking forward to watching him progress."
Signed by the White Sox out of Cuba for $2.7 million in January of 2022, the left-handed Colas played at three levels last season and hit a combined .314/.371/.524 with 23 home runs and 79 RBI in 117 games for high Class A Winston-Salem, AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte.
With four years of experience playing in Cuba and Japan before joining the Sox, the 24-year-old Colas is more prepared than most to make the jump to baseball's highest level.
"I've thought about it, that's part of my dream," Colas said of making the White Sox's roster out of spring training. "Sometimes you think that it's not real. But I'm here working for that and that's going to be a big accomplishment for me and my family and all the people who have been supporting me."
Justin Jirschele is a big supporter, and he got to see Colas up close and personal while managing Class AA Birmingham last year.
"Everything he does is next level," said Jirschele, who was promoted and will manage Class AAA Charlotte this season. "He can carry a team both offensively and defensively. He brings a ton of energy. He's a competitor. He wants to win. He shows up every day wanting to win. His teammates love him.
"He's a spectacular talent and I'm excited to see what's in store for him coming up."
Hitting a sturdy .300/.317/.475 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI through 17 Cactus League games, it's looking like the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Colas is going to be the Sox's regular right fielder.
Jimenez lost his starting job in left field when the White Sox signed Andrew Benintendi. He wants to play some right in addition to being the designated hitter and Grifol has said Jimenez might play the position once or twice a week.
Gavin Sheets played 85 games in right field last season and is another option.